Unlock Democracy welcomes opposition lobbying motion

By staff writers

June 23, 2013

Following the initiative of the Scottish parliament on regulating lobbying, Unlock Democracy has supported the opposition day motion at Westminster last week.

The political reform group's deputy director Alexandra Runswick commented: "We welcome the lead being taken by Jon Trickett and the Labour Party on lobbying, amid drift and dither by the coalition government."

She continued: "It is crucial that any statutory lobbying register covers all forms of lobbying, not just the activities by public affairs agencies. If this is not done then all that will happen is that the same activity will continue unmonitored either by in-house corporate lobbyists or via organisations such as think tanks and law firms.

"Sadly, the government currently appears determined that its bill will only cover an extremely narrow definition of lobbying and exclude the vast majority of the industry in the process.

"In association with Spinwatch, Unlock Democracy has now published its own draft of what a lobbying bill should look like. We believe we've been able to demonstrate that a register which is both comprehensive and workable is practical.

"The focus is now on the government and it's own legislation, which we understand is to be published in July," concluded Ms Runswick.

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